ORLANDO, Fla. — James Franklin hasn’t been shy about his desire for Penn State to improve its football facilities, bolster its budget for assistant coaches and push for a larger football support staff.

The person tasked with working on those goals with Franklin is athletic director Sandy Barbour. As she nears the end of her first contract at Penn State — one due to expire Aug. 31, 2019 — Barbour said Monday an extension is in place and she expects to hear from the board of trustees about the finalized extension in early 2019. Barbour said she and Penn State president Eric Barron came to an agreement within the past few weeks.

“This is my last stop,” Barbour said Monday ahead of Penn State’s Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl against Kentucky. “Where would I want to go that’s a better opportunity, that’s a better fit for me than Penn State? And this next contract will certainly help me do that.”